UConn's Ollie: '(Purvis) brings us leadership'

Former North Carolina State guard Rodney Purvis chose UConn as his next basketball destination earlier this month.

His transfer is now official.

UConn announced Friday that Purvis completed his transfer by signing a financial aid agreement.

Purvis, a 6-foot-3 combination guard, spent one season at North Carolina State, averaging 8.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 25.5 minutes while appearing in all 35 games, starting 23, for the Wolfpack. He scored seven points against UConn's in his team's 69-65 win at the Jimmy V Classic last December in New York.

NCAA transfer rules require him to sit out a season. He's expected to be an impact player when he becomes eligible to play for the Huskies in the 2014-15 season.

Coach Kevin Ollie is excited about Purvis joining the program.

"Rodney is a solid, strong guard who can score in a lot of ways," Ollie said in a released statement. "He gets to the hole and he was a good 3-point shooter last year. In pick-and-roll situations, we can use him a lot.

"He loves the up-tempo game. Plus, we can use his versatility. He can play the one, he can play the two, he's even big enough to play the three, like we used Omar (Calhoun) this year."

Purvis, a former McDonald's All-American, attended Upper Room Christian Academy in Raleigh, N.C., his hometown. He earned North Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year honors.

He had UConn as a finalist during his recruiting search.

Ollie believes Purvis will be a factor during this upcoming season despite only being allowed to practice with the Huskies. Purvis will have three years of eligibility left.

"He brings us leadership, even next year," Ollie said. "No, he won't be playing, but he gives us a high-caliber basketball player that we can practice against every day. And he's going to improve just by going against our guards, going through our workouts, and developing.

"Then, when he plays the following year, he's going to be hungry, he'll be chomping at the bit to play.

"Rodney will come right in and add stability to the backcourt and that's something we'll welcome. And he won't be a freshman. He'll be a junior maturity-wise."

g.keefe@theday.com

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